Key facts
- Starknet community voted to explore becoming an independent, post-quantum layer-1 blockchain.
- 93.52% of voting power supported the research into transitioning away from Ethereum.
- A draft whitepaper is expected in November.
- StarkWare aims for Starknet to be quantum-resistant by 2027.
Starknet's community has overwhelmingly voted to support research into becoming an independent, post-quantum layer-1 blockchain, potentially moving away from its current status as an Ethereum layer-2 network. The governance vote, which concluded on Thursday, saw approximately 3,200 participants, with 93.52% of the voting power in favor of exploring the transition. StarkWare, the company behind Starknet, stated it abstained from voting to allow the community to decide. The outcome permits StarkWare and the Starknet Foundation to begin researching the technical feasibility and proposals for an independent layer-1 network. A separate, binding governance vote would be required for the actual shift. StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson indicated that a draft whitepaper detailing the research would be released for public scrutiny in November. The company aims to make Starknet quantum-resistant by 2027, citing concerns about Ethereum's projected timeline of 2029 for similar upgrades.